Travel & Cross-Cultural Fiction

Isamu is the heir of Mayu’s Mountain Monastery. Ryu is a traitor that deserted from Duke Ozuru’s army. When the monks bring Ryu into the monastery, Isamu begs his grandfather to let him help Ryu. The elderly master agrees and now, Isamu is the one to take care of Ryu’s wounds, as well as teach him the secret martial art.

With time, Isamu and Ryu’s brotherhood matures into love – however, romantic relationships between monks are strictly forbidden. Will the two hide forever?

In the meantime, Duke Ozuru plots to burn Mayu’s Monastery to the ground... Will Isamu and Ryu make it out alive?

The Carved Ivory Tusk is a historical romance short story of 9587 words that intertwines themes of forbidden love, cultural pride, and the resilience of art amidst the exploitation of 1895 colonial Congo. Blending postcolonial and romantic subgenres, the novel captures the complexity of human connection against a backdrop of oppression, highlighting the painstaking beauty of ivory carving as a powerful symbol of resistance.

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In the heart of 1895 Congo, Abeni, a masterful ivory carver, carries the weight of her village’s suffering while channeling her emotions into intricate carvings. When Marc, a French officer, commissions an extraordinary piece for Paris, his motives seem rooted in ambition. Yet as his fascination with Abeni’s artistry grows, so does the tension between them—marked by mistrust, respect, and an undeniable connection.

While Abeni resents the colonial system that upholds Marc’s privilege, she finds herself torn by his vulnerability and admiration. Their evolving bond comes under strain when Abeni discovers Marc’s initial selfish intent behind the commission. As the ivory tusk nears completion, their worlds collide, exposing the fragility of their love amidst societal prejudices and cultural conflict.

Will their connection transcend the power dynamics that divide them, or will the legacy of exploitation destroy their chance for redemption?

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The Carved Ivory Tusk explores profound themes of love, identity, and resilience, mirroring the deliberate artistry of carving. It delves into the emotional toll of colonial exploitation while celebrating the power of cultural heritage. Abeni’s carvings symbolize love’s creation—laborious, beautiful, and imperfect—while Marc’s transformation challenges societal norms.

The narrative’s layered structure, mirroring the carving process, invites readers into a world of symbolism and emotional depth. Fans of historical romance and postcolonial literature will appreciate the story’s universal resonance, its critique of exploitation, and its celebration of art as resistance.

Tea and Opium invites readers into the intoxicating world of forbidden romance during the autumn of 1839 Guangzhou, as the Opium Wars brew on the horizon. This 10,360-word short story elegantly intertwines historical fiction and romantic tragedy, capturing the allure of cross-cultural connection and sacrifice. The story’s rich themes of love, resilience, and identity make it a must-read for historical and romance enthusiasts.

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Mei Ming, a fragile yet courageous young woman, is bound by duty to an arranged marriage with the coldly pragmatic Liu. Her future appears sealed within the walls of her family’s bustling tea house in 1839 Guangzhou, until Edward Everett—a brooding British trader seeking a rare tea blend—enters her world.

Their initial meeting sparks curiosity and tension, their connection blossoming into a forbidden love that defies cultural and societal barriers. As Edward becomes a symbol of freedom and love, Mei inspires him to question his obligations and the life he has always known.

However, their relationship soon faces insurmountable obstacles. Lin Liang, a jealous rival, plots against Mei’s family, spreading rumors of betrayal to sabotage Edward’s trust.

With the Opium Wars erupting, Mei learns that her family’s tea plantation may be seized. Amid whispers of scandal and Edward’s engagement in England, Mei confronts mounting pressure to honor her family or risk everything for a chance at love.

On the eve of her wedding, Mei must make her ultimate choice: to embrace freedom at the docks with Edward or remain imprisoned by tradition. Their fate hangs on a fragile balance of love, sacrifice, and hope.

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At its heart, Tea and Opium is an exploration of love’s fragility and strength, delving into themes of cultural conflict, sacrifice, and self-discovery. The evocative prose captures the delicate symbolism of tea and opium, mirroring the duality of love’s purity and peril. Mei’s journey of defiance and Edward’s haunted restraint bring emotional depth, while the vivid historical setting immerses readers in a world teetering on the brink of change. Perfect for fans of bittersweet romance and rich historical fiction, this novella transforms forbidden desire into a powerful narrative of hope, loss, and courage.

Madame Chrysanthème is a novel  blending romantic travelogue, cultural satire, and semi-autobiographical fiction. Set in Meiji-era Nagasaki, it explores the trope of the temporary foreign marriage through the lens of a French naval officer’s fleeting union with a Japanese woman. Its exotic setting, delicate irony, and introspective tone make it a standout in 19th-century French Japonisme literature.

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When a young French naval officer arrives in Nagasaki, he’s captivated by the city’s lantern-lit nights and the promise of romance in an unfamiliar land. Seeking novelty and escape, he enters a temporary marriage with Madame Chrysanthème—a quiet, ornamental woman whose presence seems more symbolic than intimate. Their relationship unfolds in a haze of rituals, misunderstandings, and cultural detachment.

As he documents their daily life in his journal, the officer’s fascination with Japan begins to sour. He grows increasingly disillusioned with the superficiality of their bond and the performative nature of his surroundings. Madame Chrysanthème remains enigmatic—her silence both comforting and unsettling.

But beneath the surface, tensions simmer. Is she truly indifferent, or hiding deeper emotions? Will the officer’s detachment protect him from heartbreak, or lead him into a moral reckoning? As his departure looms, questions of love, identity, and exploitation linger...

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The novel explores themes of cultural voyeurism, emotional detachment, and the commodification of intimacy. Loti’s diary-style narration offers a layered critique of Western romanticism and Orientalist fantasy, while subtly exposing the protagonist’s own contradictions. With lyrical prose and ironic distance, the story invites readers to question the authenticity of cross-cultural encounters. Fans of introspective travel fiction and bittersweet romance will find its quiet tension hauntingly memorable.

Glistening Pearlis a captivating short story of approximately 9,400 words that weaves an unforgettable tale of forbidden love, resilience, and personal redemption. Set against the vibrant yet divided backdrop of 18th-century Zanzibar, this historical romance combines elements of drama, cultural fiction, and steamy romance.

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Selaya, a Black oyster farmer battling the scars of her past, discovers a rare pearl hidden in a discarded shell—a treasure that becomes her secret symbol of self-worth. But her life changes forever when she trespasses into forbidden waters and meets Jamal, the idealistic son of a powerful Arab landowner. Drawn to her strength and independence, Jamal begins to challenge the cultural and societal norms that divide their worlds.

As their connection deepens, Selaya struggles to accept her worth, while Jamal faces pressure from his father and the ambitions of Zahara, the ruthless landowner who controls Selaya’s fate. When Jamal introduces faith as a path to healing, Selaya is torn between reclaiming her identity and the fear that she will never be free from the shadows of her past. Can Selaya trust herself to love again, and will Jamal have the courage to defy the traditions that hold him back?

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Glistening Pearlexplores timeless and universal themes of resilience, redemption, and love defying societal barriers. Selaya’s journey to embrace her hidden worth and Jamal’s struggle to reconcile tradition with his ideals offer profound emotional and philosophical insights. The narrative employs rich symbolism, particularly through the pearl and the ocean, while the lyrical prose and vivid descriptions immerse readers in the cultural richness of 18th-century Zanzibar.

For fans of historical romance and forbidden love, the story balances familiar tropes with a unique depth of character and theme. It resonates on an intellectual and emotional level, inviting readers to reflect on self-worth, identity, and the transformative power of love. Glistening Pearl is as much a literary exploration of humanity as it is an enthralling romance.